John Cena broke a golden rule with his rare 2017 Ford GT supercar
- John Cena is a big car lover
- But one of the cars in his collection landed him in a legal dispute with Ford
- He’d broken one of the rules in their contract
Published on Jul 25, 2024 at 1:43 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Jul 26, 2024 at 3:06 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
John Cena found himself in hot water after he broke a ‘golden rule’ with his super rare 2017 Ford GT supercar.
The professional wrestler was contractually obliged to keep the car for 24 months, but he sold it beforehand.
This led to a lawsuit between him and Ford.
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Why did John Cena get sued?
Cena was one of 500 buyers handpicked by Ford to receive the $450,000 Ford GTs.
The decision was made based on each person’s visibility and interest in cars.
It was hoped that the ensuing publicity would lead to good press for Ford and generate further sales.
Cena is a big car lover, as demonstrated by his impressive collection, which includes a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560, a Ferrari F430 Spider, and a 1984 Cadillac Coupe.
A few months after receiving his GT, he sold it New Auto Inc., violating the non-resale clause contained in several documents he signed.
As a result, Ford filed a lawsuit against Cena in December 2017 for breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment.
The company wanted the wrestler-turned-actor to hand over any profits he made from selling the car.
How was the lawsuit resolved?
Six months later in June 2018, the lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount, which Ford would be donating to charity.
A statement from Cena’s legal team said: “John Cena reached a settlement with Ford Motor Company for selling his Ford GT despite a program requirement to retain ownership for 24 months.
“Ford will now donate the proceeds to charity.
“The re-sale restriction – common for the world’s most exclusive cars – was part of an extensive owner selection process to ensure the passion and aura surrounding the Ford GT is maintained.”
Cena himself said: “I love the Ford GT and apologize to Ford, and encourage others who own the car to respect the contract.
“I am pleased we could resolve this matter outside of court, and that a worthy charity will benefit from one of the most iconic cars in the world.”
It just goes to show that it’s always important to read the fine print.
